Allardyce is also set to get the green light to field the club’s reserves in Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Nottingham Forest - just as he did in their Capital One Cup quarter-final win over Spurs before Christmas.

There could even be a shadow Irons side on display at Manchester City in the first leg of the club’s Capital One Cup semi-final next Wednesday, with West Ham adamant that the Premier League clash at Cardiff the following Saturday is far more important.

Hammers co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan are refusing to consider relegation from the Premier League and have no compunction about sacrificing the domestic cup competitions in the fight for survival.

Nik of time? Would Jelavic score the goals to stave off West Ham relegation? (Photo: Clive Brunskill)

Equally, they have always been insistent that they are owners who back their managers.

Now, despite concerns from fans - and even from within the second-from-bottom club -they intend to prove they are as good as their word.

They are understanding of the fact that Allardyce had no control over captain Kevin Nolan’s sending off in the New Year's Day loss to fellow strugglers Fulham - for which he will be fined two weeks’ wages, £100,000.

They are also mindful of the fact that the club have been crippled by injuries in recent weeks.

West Ham have been vindicated in their belief that Allardyce should have snapped up another striker last summer, instead of Liverpool winger Stewart Downing.

But the plan for Gold and Sullivan has always been to support Big Sam with fresh firepower during the January transfer window, then judge him on the club’s form in their subsequent league matches.

Jelavic, 28, has made just nine appearances in the Premier League for Everton this season and is sweating on his place in the Croatia squad for the World Cup in Brazil.

The Hammers considered a move for him before his switch from Rangers to Goodison Park in January 2012, but were unconvinced he could reproduce his Scottish Premier League form in the English equivalent.